Paper transport for photocopies



O United States Patent [72] Inventor David L. Herman 3,415,389 12/1968 Smith 198/219X 63 Catherine Road, Scarsdale, New York 3,420,385 1/1969 Verrindern 2l4/6(P)UX I A l N 3,455,433 7/1969 Gentry 198/219X Pp o. FOREIGN PATENTS g' i fif fi, 236,006 1/1925 Great Britain 271/75 OTHER REFERENCES IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin .1. Maliwacki Vol. 11, 541 PAPER TRANSPORT FOR PHOTOCOPIES 271/34 1 Cla1m,5 Drawing Figs. Primary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner-Robert J. Spar [52] m 271/47 Attorneys-James Albert Drobile and Robert Sherman 51 int. c1. B65h 29/16 [50] Field ofSearch 198/219,

1S6; 27l/75,34, 45,4 6K ABSTRACT: Paper transport means for use in conjunction with a photocopier for transporting sheets into and out of con- [56] References Cited tact with a generally horizontally disposed surface serving as a 1 UNITED STATES PATENTS focal plane, the surface having elongated openings, there 2,947,405 8/1960 Fenton 214/6(P)X being endless belts hav ng continuous segments thereof 3,108,801 10/1963 Van Dalen 271/34X disposed within sald openings, and selectively pro ectible up- 3,155,243 1 111964 Maramonte 2l4/6(P)UX wardly to engage .the undersurface of a sheet of copy paper for 3,159,397 1964 y r 271/ transport thereof, 881d segments returning to a position within 3,209,890 10/1965 Miles 198/219X said slots at or slightly below the surface when movement of 3,247,981 4/1966 Johnson 214/6(P)UX the paper has been completed.

PAPER TRANSPORT FOR PI-IOTOCOPIES This invention relates generally to the field of photocopiers, and more particularly to an improved paper transport means for moving photosensitive paper to and from a focal plane for exposure prior to development or actuation of the sensitized surface thereof.

It is known in the art toprovide a fixed horizontally oriented surface for supporting the copy paper in position for exposure, which surface lies in the focal plane of a lens projecting the image to be copied thereupon. Prior to exposure, the belts move the paper to position, and after exposure the belts transport the paper to an actuating or developing station, and subsequent ejection from the machine. Since, in order to obtain purchase on the undersurface of the copy paper the belts must project slightly upwardly from the surface, when the paper is positioned upon the surface, portions thereof will be pushed upwardly out of the focal plane by the belts, thereby destroying proper focus in these areas, and creating a condition for exposure wherein all portions of the image will not be in clear focus, and the copy quality is correspondingly afi'ected.

It is also known in the art to provide reciprocating advancement means to overcome this difficulty, but the structure is unnecessarily complicated, and is not continuous in operation.

It is therefore among the principal objects of the present invention to provide a belt type drive of the class described in which the belt is movable, not only along its own access to transport sensitized paper to and from the focal plane, but which will also selectively project itself into the focal plane for engagement with the undersurface of the paper prior to axial movement, and withdraw from the focal plane at the completion of the axial movement.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved mechanism for performing the above end, which will be substantially automatic in operation once axial move- I ment of the belt has been commenced or arrested.

Yet another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved transport means of theclass described which may have a minimum of mechanical complexity.

A feature of the disclosed embodiment lies in the fact that the disclosed mechanism requires little or no servicing throughout its usefullife.

These objectsand features, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, willmore fully appear in the progress of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary end 'elevational view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view as seen from the plane 3-3 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view as seen from the plane 4-4 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view as seen from the plane 5-5 in FIG. 1.

In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character 10, comprises a supporting structure 11 which forms part of a photocopier (not shown), the structure including a base member 12 from which extend a plurality of vertical supports 13 forming parts of a frame element 14, the upper surface 15 of which positions a paper supporting platen 16. The upper surface 17 of the platen 16 lies within the focal plane of a lens (not shown) which serves to cast an image to be copied thereupon. Extending through the platen 16 are a plurality of elongated openings 18 in which there are disposed continuous segments of a plurality. of paper transport belts 19, the outer surface 20 of which engage the 2 under surface of successive sheets of paper (not shown).

The frame element 14 includes a plurality of mounting members 21 engaged by upper pintles 22 penetrating elongated links 23. Corresponding lower pintles 24 en age a movable subframe 25 for movement of a purely trans atronal nature orbiting about the axis of the upper pintles 22.

The subframe 25 includes a pair of inclined arms 26 and 27, each mounting belt tensioning rollers 28 and 29, respectively. A centrally disposed belt tensioning roller 30 is positioned for rotation at the median point of the subframe 25, as best seen in FIG. 1 in the drawing.

A separate subframe 25 is provided for each of the belts 31, which are journaled on fixed pulleys 32 and 33, either of which is driven by a prime mover (not shown) operating through shafts 34 and 35, respectively.

Upon the impartation of rotational motion to either of the shafts 34-35, the belts 31 commence to move in a corresponding direction. Owing to the inertial and static frictional resistance of the central belt tensioning roller 30 which engages its respective belt within a groove 36, the motion imparted to the belt is partially transmitted to the subframe 25 to result in movement from the position shown in full lines in FIG. 1 to the position shown in dashed lines in that FIG. This movement includes with continued horizontal displacement a constantly increasing vertical component which results in bringing the surface of the rollers 28-29 into contact with the inner surface of the respective belt 31, wherein the same is elevated so as to lie upwardly of the corresponding opening 18 wherein it may engage the under surface of a length of paper to transport the same in the desired direction. When the initial resistance has been overcome, the rollers 28, 29 and 30 rotate with the belt, but the dynamic friction existing between the roller 30 on its axis of rotation is sufficient to maintain the subframe in its elevated position while the transport of the paper takes place. With the cessation of further movement, the subframe returns to its initial condition, allowing the belts to drop to a position shown in FIG. 2 wherein they lie at or below the surface of the platen l6, and permit the paper to be exposed in completely planar condition. Subsequent movement of the belts causes a repetition of the above described action, and the elevation of the paper from the platen to facilitate the transport thereof.

I wish to be understoodthat I do not consider the invention limited to the precise details of structure shown and set forth in this specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

I claim:

1. In a paper transport device having means defining a surface supporting a length of paper in a relatively fixed plane, and means for shifting the position of said length of paper upon said plane, the improvement comprising: said first mentioned means having at least one elongated opening extending through the plane of said surface, and said second-mentioned means includes an endlessbelt means having a continuous segment disposed for movement within said opening, and means for selectively moving said segment outwardly of said elongated opening to extend beyond said surface to engage the undersurface of said length of paper, whereupon movement imparted to said belt is transferred to said paper; said last mentioned means including a subframe attached to said first mentioned means for translational movement relative thereto, and having tensioning rollers thereon each engaging a segment of said belt; said subframe normally falling under the action of gravity to its lowermost position relative to said fixed plane, said translational movement having a vertical component raising said subframe from said lowermost position, and being irnparted upon the commencement of movement of said endless belt means as the result of overcoming rotational resistance of at least one of said rollers. 

